Everything is ok

First things first. Don't think the worst and don't worry. Just because you haven’t heard back yet doesn’t mean that your chosen universities don't want you. It can simply mean that your application is taking longer to process than others.

Most of the time a university will send you an email or letter acknowledging your application, but leave you waiting a while for an offer.

Every admissions team is different

Sometimes people who applied after you will hear back before you do. This is just how the system works.

Some courses receive more applications than others which can mean longer waiting times. How large a university's admissions team is will also dictate when you hear back. Each university has a different system for sorting through its applications. In some cases, universities don’t even send out application acknowledgements.

You aren’t alone

Remember that you’re not the only one in this situation. Thousands of other students are in the exact same position as you right now.

It’s not unusual for a university to take a while to review your application. This can be a testing time, but refreshing your UCAS Hub won't help. It’s only going to make you more anxious. Focus on getting the grades you need so you can go to your desired university. Getting an offer is only half the battle. You still need to get the grades to meet the conditions.  

When do universities confirm your place?

Most unis will have made a decision by the end of March, while others will wait until May to give you an answer.

There's no set waiting time. Some students will hear back in three days and some three weeks. This is completely normal and not a reflection of your application.

What can you do now?

Try and stay calm. Worrying won't help your application and will only make you more nervous. The offers will come eventually, and sometimes no news is good news. The best thing you can do now is to focus your attention on achieving the best grades you possibly can.

Just remember, even if you’re not given any offers, there's always the option of going through Clearing to secure a spot at university. Take a look at some other courses in similar subject areas and see if there is anything else available that you would be interested in.

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